X-15-1 Add-on Package FSX/FS2004

This package contains 2 versions of the X-15-1 with the interim XLR-11 rocket engines and two versions with the million-horsepower XLR-99 rocket engine. NEW VERSION 1.1 INCLUDES VIRTUAL COCKPITS!

The North American X-15-1 (serial number AF56-6670) was the first of three experimental X-15aircraft built in the late 1950s to demonstrate the ability of pilots to fly rocket-powered airplanes out of the earth's atmosphere and back to precision landing.

The X-15 was a single-place research airplane, designed to obtain data on flight at extremely high altitudes and speeds and on the effects of such flight conditions on the aircraft and on the pilot.

The X-15-1 was rolled out in October 1958, and successfully completed its first powered flight in January 1960, after a series of captive and glide flights. The No. 1 aircraft completed 81 missions during the 9-year X-15 research program. Legendary test pilot Scott Crossfield was the first to fly the X-15-1 in the spring of 1959 while NASA pilot Bill Dana flew the aircraft for the last time in October 1968.

X-15-1 for Flight Simulator Key Features

Custom X-15 flight model to simulate rocket-powered high-speed and high-altitude flight in FSX and FS2004:
Supersonic flight up to Mach 4.65 in FSX and FS2004
High-altitude flight up to 354,200 feet in FSX (100,000 feet in FS2004)
NEW! Compatible with FSX Acceleration Expansion Pack
Can be launched from a high altitude like the real X-15 or take off from the ground like other Flight Simulator aircraft
Good maneuvrability at supersonic speeds and excellent gliding capabilities
Highly detailed 3Dmodels with more than 300 parts, 60 animations, reflective textures and unique markings, based on archive material
Fully functional 2D instrument panels with 240 custom gauges and systems to simulate almost every step and procedure required in a typical X-15 mission
NEW! Fully functional 3D virtual cockpits with over 900 parts and nearly 200 animated gauges, switches, levers, light indicators and flight instruments
NEW! New VC switches, control sticks, handles and levers
NEW! Multiple side views for the main 2D panel
NEW An automatic ignition sequence to start the X-15 engine at the touch of a single "magic" red button
NEW! New cockpit spotlights (VC and exterior model)
NEW! Ten camera definitions or views (FSX only), some of them corresponding to the real-world X-15 external bug-eye cameras
NEW! New X-15 custom sound sets for FSX and FS2004
NEW! New "invisible" canopy mode to fly the X-15 without her clamshell-type canopy on for more visibility and a spectacular view from the VC
NEW! Twelve saved flights based on X-15 historical missions to simulate a high-altitude launch from a carrier aircraft or a takeoff from the ground
Spectacular visual special effects including rocket engine flames, APU exhaust and propellant jettison effects
A custom fuel management system with three different types of propellants (water-alcohol or ammonia, liquid oxygen and hydrogen peroxide) and pressurized helium or nitrogen, like in the real-world X-15 rocket plane
NEW! A comprehensive 100-page user manual and a 20-page VC manual inspired from the original X-15 utility flight manuals, in a printable PDF format (English and French language versions are included with the software)

Fully Functional 3D Virtual Cockpits

NEW! Each of the four X-15-1 aircraft comes with its own 3D fully functional virtual cockpit which contains over 900 parts and nearly 200 animated gauges, switches, levers, light indicators and flight instruments.

The VC allows a total 3D immersion into the X-15 flying environment and comes with new internal spotlights, switches, control sticks, handles and levers with tooltips. Virtually all switches in the VC are clickable and can be used to simulate nearly every procedure required during a mission.

As with the 2D instrument panels and the exterior models, each virtual cockpit has been meticulously created to conform as closely as possible to the cabin of the real X-15 rocket aircraft.

NEW! Automatic Ignition Sequence - The X-15 can now be started automatically at the touch of a single "magic" red button. This is similar to pressing CTRL+E with conventional FS aircraft. However, the red button initiates all X-15 internal custom systems, including her three-propellant rocket fuel management system.

Advanced 2D Instrument Panels

What makes the X-15 for Flight Simulator series exciting and unique are the advanced fully functional instrument panels with custom gauges and systems to simulate almost every step and procedure required in a typical X-15 mission:

The X-15-1 for Flight Simulator comes with three main instrument panels and eight secondary panels, either in their original black version or the later light blue-gray version. Included with each X-15-1 add-on aircraft is:

A main panel;
A service panel;
A "vent, pressurize, jettison" lever panel;
A throttle and speed brake lever panel;
A left side panel;
A right side panel;
A radio panel (ADF panel on some aircraft);
A center pedestal panel with research instrumentation and stability augmentation system panels;
An RAS (reaction augmentation system) panel on some aircraft;
NEW! Multiple side views available from the main 2D instrument panel (virtual cockpit views).

In addition, the default Flight Simulator Garmin GPS and magnetic compass panels are available from the main panel.

240 custom gauges have been developed for the X-15-1 for Flight Simulator and each one has been carefully designed based on the original instrument found in the real X-15 aircraft.

Note that one variation of the X-15-1 has a revised light blue-gray instrument panel that replaced the original black panel in the summer of 1963. The new panel contrasted better with the gauges, light indicators and flight instruments.

NOTE: Xtreme Prototypes X-15-1 for Flight Simulator addons are quite complex and require more processing power and RAM than other more conventional add-on aircraft packages. Increased performance will be noticed on more powerful systems. FSX SP2 minimum system requirements recommended.

Note to Windows® Vista with DirectX® 10 users: DirectX® 10 Preview option box in FSX display settings must be unchecked for proper aircraft display. The current version of the software does not support certain DirectX® 10 features.

CUSTOM AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS FEATURES

Fictional service panel system for external power and aircraft refueling (water-alcohol or ammonia, liquid oxygen, hydrogen peroxide, nitrogen and helium gas, liquid nitrogen)
Custom X-15 fuel management system for the three different types of propellants and gases, like in the real-world X-15 rocket plane
Engine propellant pressurization and control system
Engine turbopump system
Engine ignition control system
Electrical distribution and control system with APUs, generators, emergency battery and an external power source
Hydraulic systems
Temperature control systems

NEW! New X-15 custom sound sets for FSX and FS2004
NEW! Ten camera definitions or views (FSX only), some of them corresponding to the real-world X-15 external bug-eye cameras
NEW! Twelve saved flights based on X-15 historical missions to simulate a high-altitude launch from a carrier aircraft or a takeoff from the ground
X-15-1 aircraft kneeboard reference tab and check list
NEW! A comprehensive 100-page user manual and a 20-page VC manual inspired from the original X-15 utility flight manuals, in a printable PDF format (English and French language versions are included with the software)